Vol 8, No 12 (2007): Practical Diabetology
Research paper
Published online: 2008-02-28

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Comparison of fat mass in obese patients as measured by bioelectrical impedance and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

Katarzyna Cyganek, Barbara Katra, Jacek Sieradzki
Diabetologia Praktyczna 2007;8(12):473-478.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. Obesity is becoming increasingly common and is recognized as a major public health problem worldwide. There is growing evidence that obesity, and in particular central adiposity, has an important impact on predisposing metabolic risk factors for coronary heart disease such as hypertension, dyslipidaemia, glucose intolerance and diabetes. The aim of the study is to: 1) estimate total abdominal and abdominal visceral fat in obese patients by using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) technique; and 2) compare those two measurements of body composition.
MATERIAL AND METHODS. We performed a prospective study of data from 70 obese patients (8 mens and 62 womens) managed in the Department of Metabolic Disease in Krakow in years 2001-2005. We analysed data: anthropometrical measures, and abdominal fat assessed bioelectrical impedance analysis using BODYSTAT 1500 and DEXA method using a Lunar DPX densitometer. We also analysed blood pressure, lipid profile and fasting blood glucose and insulin level. We assess insulin resistance using HOMA.
RESULTS. The mean age of patients were 45.2 (± 13.7) years old, mean body mass index (BMI) 38.6 (± 5.4) kg/m2. We found elevated a fasting blood glucose level 6.1 (± 1.1) mmol/l, and a very high fasting insulin level 28.0 (± 7.5) mIU/ml. The insulinresistance assesses by HOMA was 3.58 (± 1.9). We did not find statistical differences in body fat percentage assessed by both methods the BIA and DEXA scans, respectively: 46.0 (± 6.9) vs. 47.3% (± 6.6); p = NS. Both measures estimate the same abdominal fat mass, respectively 46.7 (± 10.9) vs. 43.3 (± 9.1) kg; p = NS. There was no difference related to percentage amount of fat measured by both methods [46.0 (± 6.9) vs. 47.3% (± 6.6); p = NS, respectively]. The amount of visceral fat also was calculated by using DEXA method, which was estimated as a 25.9% (± 18.0) of total fat tissue. We also found elevated serum total cholesterol level 5.2 (± 1.1) mmol/l, LDL-cholesterol 3.2 (± 0.9) mmol/l and high systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively 135.5 (± 15.9) i 85.6 (± 9.1) mm Hg. HOMA was strongly associated with fat mass and anthropometrical waist circumstance.
CONCLUSIONS. The present results shows that the BIA and DEXA methods can be useful for assessment of body fat composition. BIA is easier to perform and can be helpful as a marker of reduction of body fat in medical practice. The use of DEXA can estimate abdominal fat and better predict metabolic disturbances in obese patients.

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